Presidential Pardon Ends Legal Battle for Baseball Legend
Former New York Mets superstar Darryl Strawberry has received a full presidential pardon from Donald Trump, effectively clearing his record of past tax evasion and drug-related charges. The announcement came on November 7, 2025, marking a significant moment in the baseball Hall of Famer's post-career life.
Strawberry's Complicated Legacy
Darryl Strawberry, now 63, remains one of the most celebrated outfielders in Mets history, having played for the team during their championship years. However, his career was often overshadowed by legal troubles and personal struggles. The tax evasion charges stemmed from failures to report substantial income during his playing days, while drug charges reflected his well-documented battles with substance abuse.
The timing of the pardon comes just over a year after Strawberry participated in a number retirement ceremony at Citi Field on June 1, 2024, where he was honored for his contributions to the franchise. That emotional event saw the Mets organization and fans celebrating his baseball achievements while acknowledging his personal challenges.
Path to Redemption
In recent years, Strawberry has become an advocate for addiction recovery and has worked extensively with various charitable organizations. His public appearances have focused on helping others avoid the pitfalls that marked much of his post-baseball life.
The presidential pardon represents the culmination of Strawberry's efforts to rebuild his life and reputation. Legal experts note that while the pardon doesn't erase the historical record of his convictions, it does restore certain civil rights and represents official forgiveness for his past transgressions.
This development occurs amid broader sports news, including the NCAA's ongoing sports betting probe that has recently revoked the eligibility of six college basketball players, and former NFL player Antonio Brown facing attempted murder charges.
The pardon also coincides with significant entertainment news, including Justin Bieber's multiple Grammy nominations for his album 'Swag' and Calgary's own Tate McRae receiving a Grammy nomination for her song from the F1 soundtrack.
